Monday, July 9, 2018

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.Additional Participating Entities: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IndianaLycoming Engines; Williamsport, PennsylvaniaAviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfhttp://registry.faa.gov/N96195Location: Arlington, INAccident Number: CEN18FA258Date & Time: 07/06/2018, 1720 EDTRegistration: N96195Aircraft: Bell 47GInjuries: 1 FatalFlight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural On July 6, 2018, about 1720 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-2 helicopter, N96195, was substantially damaged when it impacted a corn field near Arlington, Indiana. A postimpact fire ensued. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The aerial application flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The local flight departed a loading platform at a farm 1 mile northwest of the accident location., about 1655.According to a colleague of the pilot, the pilot had been flying since 0845 that morning and had completed between 10 and 15 spray runs. The pilot was applying a fungicide to corn crops and each run was averaging 20 minutes. When the pilot did not return after 30 minutes they initiated search operations and located the wreckage about 1800.The main wreckage of the helicopter included the fuselage, landing skids, engine and lower transmission assembly, the tail rotor, and the tail boom. The main wreckage came to rest inverted and a postimpact fire damaged the left side of the fuselage and engine. The upper portion of the helicopter, to include both main rotor blades, the mast, the collective and cyclic controls, swash plate, and the upper portion of the transmission were located about 75 ft north of the main wreckage on a bearing of 002°. Aircraft and Owner/Operator InformationAircraft Make: BellRegistration: N96195Model/Series: 47G 2Aircraft Category: HelicopterAmateur Built: NoOperator: Central Indiana AG Services, LLCOperating Certificate(s) Held: None Meteorological Information and Flight PlanConditions at Accident Site: Visual ConditionsCondition of Light: DayObservation Facility, Elevation: KGEZ, 802 ft mslObservation Time: 2153 UTCDistance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical MilesTemperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 15°CLowest Cloud Condition: ClearWind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 40°Lowest Ceiling: NoneVisibility: 10 MilesAltimeter Setting: 30.24 inches HgType of Flight Plan Filed: NoneDeparture Point: Arlington, INDestination: Arlington, INWreckage and Impact InformationCrew Injuries: 1 FatalAircraft Damage: SubstantialPassenger Injuries: N/AAircraft Fire: NoneGround Injuries: N/AAircraft Explosion: NoneTotal Injuries: 1 FatalLatitude, Longitude: 39.633056, -85.635833Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.

Kerry D. LeeMay 8, 1966 - July 6, 2018

Kerry D. Lee, 52, Mooresville, passed away July 6, 2018, as a result of injuries sustained in a helicopter accident. Kerry was born May 8, 1966, in Indianapolis to the late Diane (Grissinger) Lee and Jeffery D. Lee, who survives. Kerry graduated from Mooresville High School and was the co-owner, along with his fiancé Angela O’Farrell, of Central Indiana Ag Services. Kerry was an accomplished pilot and also enjoyed farming. Additionally, he was a bus driver for Mooresville Consolidated Schools. A fun-loving and very ambitious soul, Kerry would do anything to help his family or a friend. He enjoyed looking for that greatest deal on Craigslist or Barnstormers. He was very mechanically inclined and could fix just about anything. He had many friends and could often be found catching up on the latest happenings at McDonalds. Kerry’s memory will be cherished by a loving family and many friends. Read more here ➤ http://www.carlislebranson.com

SHELBY COUNTY, Ind. (WTHR) - Authorities are investigating a fatal helicopter crash near the Shelby-Rush county line.The helicopter was dusting crops about three miles southeast of Morristown when it crashed under unknown circumstances, an FAA spokesperson told Eyewitness News.The pilot was the only occupant of the Bell 47 helicopter when it crashed shortly after 6 p.m. Friday.Monday afternoon, police identified the pilot killed as 52-year-old Kerry D. Lee of Mooresville.Story and video ➤ https://www.wthr.com

NTSB Identification: ERA18WA09014 CFR Non-U.S., Non-CommercialAccident occurred Thursday, February 22, 2018 in Manaus City, BrazilAircraft: NEIVA EMB-720D, registration:Injuries: 4 Fatal, 1 Serious.The foreign authority was the source of this information.The government of Brazil has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a NEIVA EMB-720D airplane that occurred on February 22, 2018. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Brazil's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.All investigative information will be released by the government of Brazil.

NOTAMPlease be advised our Helipad is CLOSED to all flight operations until further notice due to the erection of the large crane assisting in the building of our new Critical Care Tower. To all FLIGHT PERSONNEL please when you are preparing to land at the alternate landing site of UC MEDICAL CENTER let us know your stretcher needs. We have a team in place 24/7 to escort you from the UC HELIPAD to our facility. We are equipped with BOTH Stryker and Ferno cot mounts we can have ready for your landing... or if you’re a team that utilizes a SLED we have a stretcher available to attach your sled and safe transport to Children’s. -Cincinnati Children's Critical Care Transport Team

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has closed its helipad because of construction on a new Critical Care Tower.The hospital on Sunday announced that a large crane assisting in the tower's erection has taken the helipad out of service until further notice.The hospital has established University of Cincinnati Medical Center as an alternate landing site for medical helicopters.A team is constantly in place to transport patients from the UC Medical helipad to Cincinnati Children's, according to a social media post from the hospital.Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.fox19.com

On 17 April 2018, the pilot of a Garlick Helicopter UH-1H, registered VH-HUE, was conducting long-line lifting operations near Talbingo in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales. This operation was part of a proposed expansion of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, known as the Snowy 2.0 project. The onsite ground crew consisted of two loadmasters, who had VHF/UHF radio communications with the helicopter, and three additional workers.After completing a number of earlier lifts, the pilot was positioning the helicopter to lift the motor of a drill rig. As the helicopter approached, the load master advised by radio that he needed some more time to prepare the rigging for the next lift and requested that the pilot to hold off for a short time. The pilot repositioned the helicopter approximately 700 metres north-east and maintained a hover while waiting for clearance to commence a forward approach to the intended lift. The pilot recalled that weather conditions were ideal in the valley with a slight breeze and good visibility. Wind observations recorded approximately 45 minutes later at Cabramurra (18 km away), were 11 km/hr from the west.While waiting for radio clearance to lift the drill rig motor, the pilot recalled that he had time to conduct a full systems check and that all instruments indicated the helicopter was operating in the normal range. At about 1415 EST, the load master requested the pilot approach the site in preparation for lifting the drill rig motor. As the pilot approached overhead, the load master radioed to the pilot that he wanted to re-check the rigging and to temporarily delay the approach. In order to minimise the rotor downwash on the people below, the pilot raised the collective to climb the helicopter, and the 100 foot long-line, above the tree canopy.As the helicopter started to climb, the pilot heard a loud mechanical ‘screaming’ noise, and he started making plans for an emergency landing. Almost immediately, the pilot also heard an audible alarm, followed by a noticeable yaw. Around this time, a light coloured gas or mist was evident near the engine area of the helicopter.The pilot elected to conduct the emergency landing in the Yarrangobilly River bed, south-west of the lifting area and workers. Concurrently, the pilot transmitted a ‘Mayday’ call over the radio. The ground workers observed the helicopter turn to the south-west, away from the lifting site and descend toward the river. The helicopter subsequently collided with the river bed. Two areas along the flight path with broken tree branches were identified, consistent with being struck by the helicopter main rotor blades.The pilot, who was wearing a helmet and secured in a lap belt, sustained serious injuries and the helicopter was destroyed.At interview, the pilot advised he had flared the helicopter prior to the impact with the second tree, but could not recall the remainder of the impact sequence until exiting the helicopter. Examination of the wreckage and ground impact marks indicated that the helicopter had impacted the ground in a nose high, slightly right side down attitude. During the impact with terrain, the tail boom of the helicopter detached from the fuselage. The fuselage then came to a rest inverted and nose low a short distance away, balancing on the main rotor head assembly.Post-accident responseFour of the workers on the ground gathered fire extinguishers and immediately moved in the direction of the helicopter. One of the loadmasters stayed at the lifting site and called for help via satellite telephone and radio.The four workers travelled on foot down river to access the accident site. Upon arrival, fuel was visible leaking down the outside of the fuselage. Some smoke was also observed in the area and, due to concerns of a potential fire in the engine bay, fire extinguishers were deployed toward this area to mitigate this risk. Meanwhile, two workers assisted the pilot to exit the helicopter and supported him in moving upstream, safely away from the wreckage, before commencing first aid.The pilot of another helicopter (also operating in support of the Snowy 2.0 project), heard the Mayday call, flew to the lifting site, and dropped off three additional workers to assist. These workers gathered additional first aid supplies to help provide first aid to the injured pilot and also assisted with rescue coordination. As communication was limited from the site, the pilot of the helicopter took off and climbed the helicopter to relay messages from the ground by flight radio and UHF. This pilot remained overhead for the duration of the rescue efforts and medical extraction of the pilot.The pilot of a third helicopter (also conducting Snowy 2.0 operations) had also become aware of the accident. This helicopter flew to Cabramurra to transport Snowy Hydro medical support workers to the accident site. Upon arrival at the accident site, the two medical personnel, consisting of a nurse and paramedic, commenced further medical treatment of the injured pilot.During this time, a medical helicopter was deployed from Canberra to lift the pilot from the site. Approximately 2 hours after the accident, the injured pilot was winched from the accident site and transported to a Canberra hospital.The immediate rescue efforts of the ground workers afforded the best opportunity to assist the pilot escaping the helicopter, conduct first aid and mitigate the risk of a serious fire.While the helicopter was destroyed, the fuselage remained unaffected by fire Ongoing investigationDue to the unstable nature of the wreckage, on-site examination was limited. Consequently, the helicopter was lifted from the accident site (Figure 6) and transported by road to a secure hangar for further examination.The ATSB investigation is continuing and will include the following:Examination of the fuselage, flight and engine instruments, controls and linkages, engine and auxiliary components, and the pilot occupied space.Technical failure mechanisms for the engine and/or drive trainCabin safety and survivability factorsHelicopter maintenance historyAcknowledgementsThe ATSB wishes to thank the significant contribution of the following organisations and their staff: New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Snowy Hydro Limited, GHD and Jindabyne Landscaping. These organisations assisted with transport to the accident site and operational support during the investigation process. The ATSB also acknowledges the support of Encore Aviation, Charles Taylor Adjusting, Heli Survey Jindabyne and Coulson Helicopters in supporting the lifting of the helicopter wreckage from the accident site.https://www.atsb.gov.au

NTSB Identification: WPR18WA13414 CFR UnknownAccident occurred Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Talbingo NSW, AustraliaAircraft: GARLICK UH1H, registration:Injuries: 1 Serious.The foreign authority was the source of this information.On April 17, 2018, about 1510 local time, a Garlick, Australian registration VH-HUE, operated as a freight charter and equipped with a Textron Lycoming T-53 engine, impacted terrain near Talbingo, Australia. The pilot, sole occupant onboard, was seriously injured.The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the accident. As the state of manufacture of the airplane and engines, the NTSB has designated an US accredited representative to assist the ATSB in its investigation.All inquiries concerning this accident should be directed to the ATSB of Australia: Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)P.O. Box 967, Civic SquareCanberra A.C.T. 2608Website: http://www.atsb.gov.au/